Powering devices using low-current power sources

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems, and methods may use a low current power source to charge an intermediate storage unit, providing sufficient electric power to perform various device functions. A voltage of the intermediate storage unit may be monitored using a voltage monitoring circuit, and a primary storage unit may be charged using current from the intermediate storage unit when the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets a threshold.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods that use a low current power source to perform various device functions, including devices, systems, and methods that use a lower current power source to charge an intermediate storage unit, providing sufficient electric power to perform various device functions.

BACKGROUND

Conventional battery powered devices are stationed throughout facilities, often in locations without an electrical outlet nearby. Such devices require periodic recharging or replacement of batteries. Some devices rely on battery power alone. Recharging or replacing batteries tends to be inconvenient, particularly when there is not an electrical outlet nearby for a charging station. For example, distributed computing systems may be implemented in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals and other healthcare facilities, and supply chain distribution facilities and resources. Distributed computing systems commonly include points of use without an electrical outlet nearby. Inconveniences of recharging or replacing batteries typically limits the feasibility of deploying battery powered devices in remote or infrequently occupied locations. Workers may be inconsistent or unreliable about maintaining adequately charged batteries in distributed devices. Additionally, some devices may remain unattended or inaccessible for extended periods of time.

Low current power sources such as those available from a powered Ethernet cable or a radio frequency field can be “harvested” to supplement a device's power consumption from a battery by using a trickle flow of electricity from such low current power source. Various approaches to harvesting a trickle flow of electricity from low current power sources are discussed in the art. However, existing approaches are generally insufficient to provide a substantive practical benefit, such as powering a device or recharging batteries. Conventional rechargeable batteries require a significant potential difference to reverse the chemical reactions used to store electrical energy. Capacitors or super-capacitors are an alternative to rechargeable batteries for storing power; however, capacitors and even super-capacitors are less effective at storing a charge for extended periods of time compared with batteries. Therefore, there exist a need for further improved devices, systems, and methods that use electricity harvested from a low current power source to charge an intermediate storage unit, providing sufficient electric power to perform various device functions.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present disclosure embraces a method of providing electric power to an electric component in a device. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving electric current from one or more low current power sources (e.g., a powered Ethernet cable connected to a device or a radio frequency field), charging an intermediate storage unit in the device with the electric current from the low current power source, monitoring a voltage of the intermediate storage unit using a voltage monitoring circuit communicatively coupled to a processor, charging a primary storage unit using electric current from the intermediate storage unit when the processor ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds a threshold (the intermediate storage unit discharging the electric current to the primary storage unit), and providing electric current from the primary storage unit to a component, allowing the component using the electric current to cause the device to perform a function.

The intermediate storage unit may include at least one capacitor and/or at least one supercapacitor, such as a plurality of capacitors and/or supercapacitors in series or parallel. The primary storage unit may include a rechargeable battery and/or a supercapacitor, such as a plurality of supercapacitors and/or rechargeable batteries in series or parallel.

The device may be a printer, such as a thermal printer, and the component may be or may include a printing mechanism. The printing mechanism may be a printhead or other printing component. The printhead may be a thermal printhead. Other devices and components will be apparent and are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, many of which are described herein. In some embodiments, the component may receive electric power solely from the primary storage unit.

The threshold may include or depend on a voltage range of the intermediate storage unit. The range may fall between a lower voltage sufficient for efficiently discharging current to the primary storage unit and an upper voltage sufficient for further charging of the intermediate storage to be inefficient.

In another aspect, the present disclosure embraces a device configured to use electric current from one or more low current power sources to perform one or more functions. The low current power source may be a powered Ethernet cable, or an electric field or magnetic field associated with a wireless communications or broadcast signal. In some embodiments the low current power source may be an electric field or magnetic field associated with FM or AM radio waves. In some embodiments, the device includes an intermediate storage unit and a primary storage unit. The intermediate storage unit may be configured to receive electric current from the low current power source. The primary storage unit may be configured to receive electric current from the intermediate storage unit. The electric current from the intermediate storage unit may at least partially charge the primary storage unit.

An exemplary device may include a voltage monitor circuit communicatively coupled to a processor, and the processor may be configured to monitor a voltage of the intermediate storage unit. The primary storage unit may be configured to receive electric current from the intermediate storage unit when the processor ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds a threshold. The device may further include one or more components configured to use electric current from the primary storage unit to perform a function. The primary storage unit may be configured to provide the electric current to the component.

In some embodiments, the device or the one or more components typically receive intermittent use at time intervals matching or exceeding a positive multiple of a time constant, τ (tau). The time constant depends on a resistance of charging the intermediate storage unit multiplied by a capacitance of the intermediate storage unit. The intermediate storage unit may accumulate a voltage over the positive multiple of the time constant, that exceeds the charge consumed by a typical instance of use of the component.

In another aspect, the present disclosure embraces a distributed computing system that includes a plurality of devices in communication with at least one network resource on a computer network. The network resource may be configured to monitor the plurality of devices on the computer network, receive a signal indicating a task to be performed; and preferentially assigning the task to a device selected from among the plurality of devices. Such device may be selected based at least in part on a threshold or parameter associated with the intermediate storage unit and/or power consumption by the device.

The plurality of devices may typically receive intermittent use at time intervals matching or exceeding a positive multiple of a time constant τ (tau). The time constant depends on a resistance of charging the respective intermediate storage unit multiplied by a capacitance of the respective intermediate storage unit. The respective intermediate storage units may be configured to accumulate a voltage over the positive multiple of the time constant which voltage exceeds the electrical power consumed by a typical instance of use of the respective component.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only, and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative features and embodiments described above, further aspects, features, and embodiments will become apparent by references to the following drawings, the detailed description set forth below, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts an exemplary device configured to harvest energy from a low current power source.

FIGS. 2A and 2B respectively depict exemplary charge and discharge curves for an intermediate storage unit.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary method of providing electric power to an electric component in a device.

FIG. 4 graphically depicts an exemplary sequence of providing electric power to an electric component in a device.

FIG. 5 graphically depicts an exemplary relationship between a charge consumed by a component and a charge supplied by an intermediate storage unit.

FIG. 6A shows an exemplary method of performing a task using power supplied by an intermediate storage unit.

FIG. 6B shows an exemplary method of printing on a print medium using power supplied by an intermediate storage unit.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary distributed computing system.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary method of preferentially assigning tasks to devices in a distributed computing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, various aspects and features are described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying figures, including among other aspects and features, exemplary devices, systems, and methods that use a low current power source to perform various device functions, including devices, systems, and methods that use a lower current power source to charge an intermediate storage unit, providing sufficient electric power to perform various device functions. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the presently disclosed devices, systems, and methods may be provided without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known aspects have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and it is intended that other embodiments are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Electrical energy can be “harvested” from any low current power source. Exemplary low current power sources include a powered Ethernet cable, a powered Universal Serial Bus, and/or magnetic fields or electric fields associated with Wi-Fi and other wireless communication or broadcast signals. In some embodiments, the low current power source may be an electric field or magnetic field associated with FM or AM radio waves. In some embodiments, the low current power source may be light energy harvested using one or more solar cells. The solar cells may be configured to harvest light energy present in the environment, including direct or indirect sunlight, ambient light, room lights, and combinations thereof.

FIG. 1 shows a device 100 configured to harvest electrical energy from a low current power source. In various embodiments, the device 100 may be a workflow solutions tool deployed in a distributed computing system. The device may be a printer (such as a thermal transfer printer), a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or a tablet), a barcode scanner, a dimensioner, or any other device. The device may perform several functions in a distributed computing system, such as scanning and printing.

Exemplary distributed computing systems include those typically deployed in healthcare facilities or supply chain environments. For example, a healthcare facility such as a hospital may have a distributed computing system with printers, scanners, and other devices 100 stationed throughout the facility. Such might be used by healthcare personnel to print and scan image associated with patient identification and management of care or other healthcare related tasks. Such devices 100 may include a medical device used by healthcare personnel to perform a medical treatment, procedure, or various other care. Similarly, printers, scanners, and other devices 100 may be stationed in various locations throughout a supply chain environment for use by personnel who manage or work in the supply chain or who perform various related task. Such devices 100 may include an inventory management tool used by supply chain personnel to identify or track items moving through the supply chain.

As shown in FIG. 1, the low current power source may include a powered Ethernet cable (i.e., PoE) 102. The powered Ethernet cable may supply an ethernet connection to the device 100. The ethernet connection may be supplied using an ethernet connection device 104. The Ethernet connection device 104 may allow communications across a network 106, such as between the device 100 a network resource 108 such as a server. In addition, or in the alternative, the device 100 may be configured to allow wireless communications across the network 106 using a wireless communication signal 110. The device may be configured to harvest electricity from a low current power source, such as from the powered Ethernet cable 102, from an electric or magnetic field associated with the wireless communications signal 110, or from any other suitable low current power source or combination of low current power sources.

The device 100 includes an Ethernet interface 112, which separates the data and power components from the powered Ethernet cable 102. The data component is communicated to circuity in a processor 114 for operating the device. The power component flows to a power converter 116. The power converter is configured to convert the power component from a supply voltage to a requisite storage voltage. For example, a typical powered Ethernet cable supplies 48 volts of AC power, though other supply voltages are also possible. The power converter may be configured to convert the supply voltage to any desired storage voltage. For example, a typical device 100 may be configured to utilize 20-24 volts of DC power.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may include an antenna 118 configured to receive wireless communication or broadcast signals 110. Electric or magnetic fields associated with the signals may be converted to a desired storage voltage using an appropriately configured power converter 116.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may include one or more solar cells 120 configured to harvest light energy present in the environment 122. The light energy harvested by the solar cells may include direct or indirect sunlight, ambient light, room lights, and combinations thereof. Light energy harvested by the solar cells may be converted to a desired storage voltage using an appropriately configured power converter 116.

Electric current from the power converter 116 is supplied to an intermediate storage unit 124. The intermediate storage unit may be a capacitor or a supercapacitor, or an arrangement of several capacitors or supercapacitors (e.g., intermediate storage units I₁ through I_(n)). The capacitors or supercapacitors making up the intermediate storage unit may be arranged in parallel or series, or combinations thereof. A diode (e.g., D1) 126 or similar circuitry may be provided to permit the flow of electric current from the power converter to the intermediate storage unit.

The intermediate storage unit periodically discharges electric current to a primary storage unit 128. The primary storage unit may be a rechargeable battery or a supercapacitor, or an arrangement of multiple rechargeable batteries or supercapacitors (e.g., primary storage units P₁ through P_(n)). The rechargeable batteries or supercapacitors making up the primary storage unit may be arranged in parallel or series, or combinations thereof. A diode (e.g., D2) 130 or similar circuitry may be provided to permit the flow of electric current from the intermediate storage unit to the primary storage unit.

In some embodiments, a voltage monitoring circuit 132 may be provided. The voltage monitoring circuit may be configured to enable the processor 114 to monitor the voltage across the intermediate storage unit. The processor may be further configured to control the charging and discharging of the intermediate storage unit, for example, using control circuitry associated with the diode 130.

The device 100 includes one or more components (e.g., components C₁ through C_(n)) 134 configured to receive power from the primary storage unit. The components 134 may include a subset of the powered components in the device. For example, the components 134 may receive power from the primary storage unit, and other powered components in the device may receive power from a different source such as a different battery or the like. In some embodiments, the charge accumulated by the intermediate storage unit may be insufficient to power every electric component in the device, but may be sufficient to power a subset of the components 134 (e.g., components C₁ through C_(n). The primary storage unit may be configured to supply power only to a subset of components. Such a subset of components may be selected based on the expected rate of energy harvesting. In some embodiments, the energy supplied by the intermediate storage unit may be sufficient to supply enough power to operate the components 134 under typical operating conditions. Under peak operating conditions (e.g., unusually frequent use, high demand situations, etc.) the components 134 may require additional power, even if the intermediate storage unit may be sufficient under typical operating conditions.

An intermediate storage unit such as a capacitor or supercapacitor can be modeled as a resistor-capacitor circuit (RC circuit). As an intermediate storage unit stores charge, the voltage V across the intermediate storage unit is proportional to the charge q stored, given by the relationship V=q/C (1), where C is the capacitance. When charge flows out of the intermediate storage unit, the voltage is proportional to the current, given by the relationship V=R·dQ/dt (2), where R is the resistance. The equality R·dQ/dt=Q/C (3) has an exponential solution. Accordingly, the charge of an intermediate storage unit is given by the relationship: Q=CV_(s)(1−e^(−t/RC)) (4), where V_(s) is the supply voltage to the intermediate storage unit, and t is the time elapsed since the application of the supply voltage. The term RC is a time constant, τ (tau), where R has units of Ohms and C has units in Farads.

As the voltage across the intermediate storage unit is proportional to its charge, the voltage displays similar exponential behavior. Accordingly, the voltage across the intermediate storage unit is given by the relationship: V=V_(s)(1−e^(−t/RC)) (5), where V_(s) is the supply voltage to the intermediate storage unit, and t is the time elapsed since the application of the supply voltage.

FIG. 2A graphically depicts an exemplary charging curve 200 for an intermediate storage unit. When charging an intermediate storage unit, the charging current 202 is found by Ohm's Law as: I=V_(s)/R. The charging rate is initially high and then decreases exponentially, asymptotically approaching zero. Likewise, the charge on the intermediate storage unit 204 initially increases rapidly and then rate of increasing charge declines exponentially as the potential difference across the intermediate storage unit asymptotically approaching a maximum charge or supply voltage.

The time constant τ (tau) represents the time it takes for the voltage across the intermediate storage unit to either rise or fall to within 1/e of its final value. When charging the intermediate storage unit τ (tau) represents the time it takes to reach V_(s)(1−1/e). When discharging the intermediate storage unit, τ (tau) is the time it takes to reach V_(s)(1/e). The rate of change is a fractional, 1−1/e per τ (tau). As such, when charging the intermediate storage unit for a time period t=τ (tau), the supply voltage or charge on the capacitor will increase by about 63.2% (i.e., 1−1/e) from t=Nτ to t=(N+1)τ. Accordingly, the intermediate storage unit typically will be charged about 63.2% of maximum (Q_(MAX))after τ (tau), and typically will be essentially fully charged (i.e., 99.3%) after 5τ. Likewise, the charging current typically will decrease by about 36.8% of maximum (I_(MAX)) after τ (tau), and typically will be essentially zero (i.e., 0.7%) after 5τ.

FIG. 2B graphically depicts an exemplary discharge curve 210 for an intermediate storage unit. When the intermediate storage is discharged, the discharge current 212 is initially high and then decreases exponentially with time, asymptotically approaching zero. Likewise, the charge on the intermediate storage unit 214 initially decreases rapidly and then the rate of decreasing charge declines exponentially as the potential difference across the intermediate storage unit asymptotically approaches zero. The intermediate storage unit typically will be discharged about 63.2% of maximum (Q_(MAX)) after τ (tau), and typically will be essentially fully discharged (i.e., 99.3%) after 5τ. Likewise, the discharging current typically will decrease by about 36.8% of maximum (I_(MAX)) after τ (tau), and typically will be essentially zero (i.e., 0.7%) after 5τ.

A voltage monitoring circuit 132 may be configured to allow a processor 114 to control the charging and discharging of the intermediate storage unit. The processor may provide electric power harvested from a low current power source 102, 110, to an electric component in a device 134 based at least in part on the control of such charging and discharging. The electric power may be provided to the electric component either directly or through a primary storage unit 128.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary method 300 of providing electric power to an electric component in a device. The method begins with receiving electric current from a low current power source connected to a device 310. The low current power source may be a powered Ethernet cable 102, an electric or magnetic field associated with a wireless signal 110, or any other suitable low current power source or combination of low current power sources. The method continues with charging an intermediate storage unit 124 in the device with the electric current 320, and monitoring a voltage of the intermediate storage 330 unit using a voltage monitoring circuit 132 communicatively coupled to a processor 114.

The method continues with charging a primary storage unit using electric current from the intermediate storage unit 340. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor and the voltage monitoring circuit may be configured to cause the intermediate storage unit to discharge electric current to the primary storage unit when the processor ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds a threshold. The primary storage unit accordingly discharges electric current to one or more components 350. The electric current may be used by the one or more components 134 to cause the device to perform a function.

In some embodiments the method 300 may be performed using a printer, such as a thermal printer. The electric current from the primary storage unit may be used to cause a printing mechanism (e.g., a printhead) to print an image. The electric current may also be used by other components 134. In some embodiments, these components 134 may be configured to receive electric power solely form the primary storage unit.

The threshold for discharging electric current to the primary storage unit may include or depend on a voltage range of the intermediate storage unit. For example, a threshold may correspond to a voltage range falling between a lower voltage sufficient for efficiently discharging current to the primary storage unit and an upper voltage sufficient for further charging of the intermediate storage to be inefficient. The lower voltage and the upper voltage may be selected based on charging curves 200 and discharging curves 210 for the intermediate storage unit. In some embodiments, the threshold may be triggered when the processor ascertains that the voltage monitoring circuit has detected a voltage corresponding to a charge on the intermediate storage unit sufficient to provide a discharging current at least exceeding a defined value. The defined value may be a discharging current of the intermediate storage unit.

In some embodiments the threshold may include or depend on a time constant τ (tau) derived from a resistance R of charging the intermediate storage unit multiplied by a capacitance C of the intermediate storage unit. Alternatively, the threshold may include or depend on a voltage or charge on the intermediate storage unit corresponding to the time constant τ (tau). The threshold may be a range or an absolute value. For example, the threshold may include or correspond to a voltage across the intermediate storage unit (or a charge on the intermediate storage unit) corresponding to a positive multiple of the time constant τ (tau) for the intermediate storage unit.

The threshold may additionally or alternatively include or depend on one or more parameters associated with a charging curve corresponding to a primary storage unit. A primary storage unit may exhibit a charging curve given by the relationship shown in equation (5) above, similar to the charging curve shown in FIG. 2A. Typically, the supply voltage to the primary storage unit corresponds to the discharge voltage of the intermediate storage unit. The time constant, τ (tau), may differ as between charging the intermediate storage unit and discharging to the primary storage unit because of a differing resistance R or capacitance C.

Additionally, the charging current to the primary storage unit (i.e., the discharging current of the intermediate storage unit) may vary depending on the charge on the primary storage unit. When the charge on the intermediate storage unit is high, initially the discharging current to the primary storage unit will also be high. However, a high charge on the primary storage unit may add resistance to the discharge of current from the intermediate storage unit. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the threshold may depend on a relationship between the charge on the intermediate storage unit and a charge on the primary storage unit.

For example, the threshold may include or depend on the charging current of the primary storage unit (or the discharging current of the intermediate storage unit) exceeding the charging current of the intermediate storage unit. Such a threshold may dynamically vary with differing values for the respective charging currents. For example, the threshold may include or depend on an efficiency of discharging current to the primary storage unit exceeding an efficiency of further charging of the intermediate storage. An efficiency factor E_(i−p) may be characterized as a ratio of the charging current of the primary storage unit over the charging current of the intermediate storage unit. The threshold may include or depend on the efficiency factor E being greater than a defined value. The defined value may be 1.0, such that the threshold will be triggered when the charging current of the primary storage unit exceeds the charging current of the intermediate storage unit.

Alternatively, the defined value may be greater than 1.0, such that the threshold will be triggered when the charging current of the primary storage unit sufficiently exceeds the charging current of the intermediate storage unit by some defined amount.

In some embodiments, the charge on the primary storage unit may be configured to discharge directly to one or more components 134. The primary storage unit may be configured to discharge to the primary storage unit under some conditions, and to discharge directly to the one or more components under other conditions. For example, the primary storage unit may be configured to discharge to the one or more components when the efficiency of discharging current to the one or more components exceeds an efficiency of further charging of the intermediate storage and/or discharging current to the primary storage unit.

In some embodiments, the energy harvested from a low current power source may be sufficient to supply power to the one or more components 134. In various settings, the one or more components may typically receive intermittent use at time intervals large enough for the intermediate storage unit to accumulate a charge sufficient to power the components during such intermittent use. Such intermittent use may arise in the context of a distributed computing system where a device 100 or various components 134 of the device typically receive intermittent use. A distributed computing system for a healthcare facility or a supply chain may have printers, scanners, and other devices 100 deployed in various locations that typically receive intermittent use. For example, printers and scanners 100 in a healthcare facility may be used intermittently by healthcare personnel to print and scan images associated with patient identification and management of care. Additionally, medical devices 100 may be used intermittently by healthcare personnel to perform a medical treatment, procedure, or various other care or related tasks. Similarly, printers, scanners, inventory management tools, and other devices 100 stationed in various locations throughout a supply chain environment may be used intermittently for used by personnel who manage or work the supply chain or who perform various related task.

In some embodiments, a positive multiple of a time constant τ (tau) for the intermediate storage unit may exceed the typical interval between such intermittent use. A device may be provided with an intermediate storage unit configured to accumulate a voltage over the positive multiple of the time constant which voltage exceeds the charge consumed by a typical instance of use of the component. Over a time period reflective of the typical interval between intermittent use, the intermediate storage unit may discharge enough energy to supply electric power to the device 100 or to the components 134. As such, the energy harvested from the low current power source may be sufficient to supply power to the device 100 or to components 134 of the device given such intermittent use under typical operating conditions. In some embodiments, however, the energy harvested from the low current power source may be inadequate to meet the power consumption of the device 100 or of the components 134 of the device under peak operating conditions (e.g., unusually frequent use, high demand situations, etc.) even though the low current power source may be adequate under typical operating conditions.

By way of example, FIG. 4 graphically depicts an example sequence 400 of providing electric power to a component 134 in a device 100. The intermediate storage unit accumulates a charge 402. When the charge on the intermediate storage unit meets a threshold 404, the current may be discharged 406 to the primary storage unit or directly to the components 134. The threshold may include or depend on a positive multiple of a time constant, τ (tau) for the intermediate storage unit. As shown, the threshold is 5τ; however, other suitable thresholds are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Meanwhile, the device 100 or the components 134 receive intermittent use 408. Such use may alternate between On/Off or In-Use/Idle 410, 412, as applicable. The time interval of the intermittent use shown in FIG. 4 matches or exceeds the threshold. A given intermittent use of the device 100 or the components 134 may consume up to all of the electrical energy harvested from the low current power source. Thus, the low current power source may be sufficient to power the device or the components when the time interval of the intermittent use exceeding the threshold.

In some embodiments, the intermediate storage unit may need to progress through several charging and discharging cycles before enough energy will have been accumulated in the primary storage unit to meet the power consumption of the device 100 or components 134. For example, the requisite time interval may exceed 5τ, 10τ, 15τ, or more, reflecting multiple cycles of charging the intermediate storage unit and discharging to the primary storage unit.

FIG. 5 graphically depicts an example relationship 500 between a charge consumed by one or more components 134 and a charge supplied by an intermediate storage unit. The shaded region 502 indicates the condition where the charge consumed by the one or more components is less than or equal to the charge supplied by the intermediate power source over a given time interval. As the time interval between intermittent uses increases, the charge supplied by the intermediate storage unit increases. Accordingly, the time interval may be selected so that the charge supplied by the intermediate power source meets or exceeds the charge consumed by the one or more components.

In some embodiments, a device 100 may be configured to use energy from an intermediate storage unit to power one or more components 134 only when the charge consumed by the one or more components is less than or equal to the charge supplied by the intermediate power source, such as indicated by the relationship shown in FIG. 5. Instead, the device or the one or more components may utilize an alternative power source when the charge consumed by the one or more components exceeds the charge supplied by the intermediate power source. For example, the alternative power source may be a battery or a supercapacitor. The device or the one or more components may utilize such alternative power source, for example, when the time interval between instances of intermittent is less than the time required to accumulate enough energy from the intermediate storage unit to power the device or the one or more components. In some embodiments, a device 100 or components thereof 134 may typically receive intermittent use at time intervals matching or exceeding a positive multiple of a time constant τ (tau) for the intermediate storage unit. The intermediate storage unit may be configured to accumulate a voltage over the positive multiple of the time constant, which voltage exceeds the charge consumed by a typical instance of intermittent use of the device 100 or the components 134.

FIG. 6A shows an exemplary method 600 of performing a task using power supplied by an intermediate storage unit. The method 600 may be applied for any device or device function within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. An exemplary method 600 begins with a device 100 receiving electric current from a low current power source (e.g., a powered Ethernet cable, a radio frequency field, or other low current power source) connected to the device 610, and charging an intermediate storage unit 124 in the device with the electric current from the low current power source 620. A processor 114 may be configured to monitor a voltage of the intermediate storage unit 630 using a voltage monitoring circuit 132 communicatively coupled to the processor.

The method continues with charging a primary storage unit 128 using electric current from the intermediate storage unit when the processor ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds a threshold 640. A suitable threshold may be selected in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, a threshold may include or depend on a voltage of the intermediate storage unit corresponding to a positive multiple of a time constant τ (tau) for the intermediate storage unit.

Accordingly, the intermediate storage unit discharges a first quantity of energy to the primary storage unit. The first quantity of energy may correspond to one or more charging and discharging sequences each meeting or exceeding a time interval corresponding to a positive multiple of the time constant, τ (tau). In some embodiments, the time interval may exceed 5τ, 10τ, 15τ, or more, reflecting multiple discharges from the intermediate storage unit to the primary storage unit.

The method 600 continues with performing a first task using a component 650, with the primary storage unit powering the component. The first task may be performed after a first time interval matching or exceeding a positive multiple of the time constant. The component consumes a second quantity of energy when performing the first task, and the first quantity of energy matches or exceeds the second quantity of energy. The second quality of energy may include or equate to a quantity of energy consumed by the component when performing the first task. In some embodiments, the method 600 continues with the primary storage unit undergoing additional charging using electric current from the intermediate storage unit when the processor again ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds the threshold 660. The intermediate storage unit accordingly discharges a third quantity of energy to the primary storage unit.

The method continues with performing a second task using the component 670, with the primary storage unit powering the component. The component consumes a fourth quantity of energy when performing the second task, and the third quantity of energy matches or exceeds the second quantity of energy and/or the fourth quantity of energy. In addition, or in the alternative, the method 600 continues with discharging a third quantity of energy from the intermediate storage unit to the primary storage unit, and then performing a second task using the component, with the third quantity of energy matching or exceeding the second quantity of energy. The second task may be performed after a second time interval commencing after the first time interval. The second time interval may match or exceed a positive multiple of the time constant.

The method shown in 6A may be performed using any device configured to harvest energy from a low current power source. For example, in some embodiments, the device may be a printer and the task may be printing an image on a print medium. FIG. 6B shows an exemplary method 650 of printing an image on a print medium using power supplied by an intermediate storage unit. The method 600 may be similarly applied for other devices or device functions, which are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. An exemplary method 650 begins with a printer (or other device) 100 receiving electric current from a low current power source (e.g., a powered Ethernet cable, a radio frequency field, or other low current power source) connected to the printer 652, and charging an intermediate storage unit 124 in the printer with the electric current from the low current power source 654. A processor 114 may be configured to monitor a voltage of the intermediate storage unit 656 using a voltage monitoring circuit 132 communicatively coupled to the processor.

The method continues with charging a primary storage unit 128 using electric current from the intermediate storage unit when the processor ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds a threshold 658. A suitable threshold may be selected in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, a threshold may include or depend on a voltage of the intermediate storage unit corresponding to a positive multiple of a time constant τ (tau) for the intermediate storage unit.

Accordingly, the intermediate storage unit discharges a first quantity of energy to the primary storage unit. The first quantity of energy may correspond to one or more charging and discharging sequences each meeting or exceeding a time interval corresponding to a positive multiple of the time constant τ (tau). In some embodiments, the time interval may exceed 5τ, 10τ, 15τ, or more, reflecting multiple discharges from the intermediate storage unit to the primary storage unit.

The method 650 continues with printing a first image using a printing mechanism (e.g., including a printhead or other component) 660, with the primary storage unit powering the printing mechanism. The first image may be printed after a first time interval matching or exceeding a positive multiple of the time constant. In some embodiments, the printing mechanism printhead consumes a second quantity of energy when printing the first image, and the first quantity of energy matches or exceeds the second quantity of energy. In some embodiments, the printing mechanism includes a printhead. In some embodiments, the printer may be a thermal printer and the printing mechanism includes a thermal printhead. In some embodiments, the second quality of energy may include or equate to a quantity of energy consumed by the thermal printhead when printing the first image.

In some embodiments, the method 650 continues with the primary storage unit undergoing additional charging using electric current from the intermediate storage unit as and when the processor again ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds the threshold 662. The intermediate storage unit accordingly discharges a third quantity of energy to the primary storage unit. The method continues with printing a second image using the printing mechanism (e.g., including a printhead) 664, with the primary storage unit powering the printing mechanism. The printing mechanism consumes a fourth quantity of energy when printing the second image, and the third quantity of energy matches or exceeds the second quantity of energy and/or the fourth quantity of energy. In addition, or in the alternative, the method 650 continues with discharging a third quantity of energy from the intermediate storage unit to the primary storage unit, and then printing a second image using the printing mechanism, with the third quantity of energy matching or exceeding the second quantity of energy. The second image may be printed after a second time interval commencing after the first time interval. The second time interval may match or exceed a positive multiple of the time constant.

The devices and methods of the present disclosure may be utilized or implemented in a distributed computing system. For example, FIG. 7 shows an exemplary distributed computing system 700. The distributed computing system includes a plurality of devices 710, which may include one or more devices configured in accordance with the device 100 shown in FIG. 1. The distributed computing system may be part of a network 106 and may include one or more network resources 108 such as a network server.

The distributed computing system may be deployed in the context of a healthcare facility and/or a supply chain environment. The devices 710 may include printers, scanners, medical devices, and inventory management tools. Other devices 710 are also within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, including other devices used by healthcare personnel to perform a medical treatment, procedure, or various other care, and other devices used by personnel who manage or work in the supply chain or who perform various supply-chain related tasks.

The devices 710 are configured to communicate with the network resource 108 either using a powered Ethernet cable 102 and/or a wireless communication signal 110. The devices are configured to harvest electricity from one or more low current power sources. The low current power source may include a powered Ethernet cable 102, an electric or magnetic field associated with the wireless communications signal 110, or any other suitable low current power source or combination of low current power sources. The network resource may be configured to assign tasks to the plurality of devices. Some of the tasks may be preferentially assigned to a device 100 selected from among the plurality 710. Tasks may be preferentially assigned to a device based one or more criteria associated with the energy harvested from the low current power source. The criteria may include or depend on a time interval, a threshold, or an efficiency factor including those described in the present disclosure. Other distributed computing systems and configurations thereof, and criteria for assigning tasks to devices, will be apparent and are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary method 800 of preferentially assigning tasks to devices 710 in a distributed computing system. The method begins upon monitoring with a network resource 108, a plurality of devices on a network 810. Each of the plurality of devices has a network connection providing communication with the network resource. The network connection may be supplied, for example, by a powered ethernet cable 102 and/or a wireless communications signal 110. Each of the devices further has an intermediate storage unit 124 configured to harvest electricity from a low current power source. The low current power source may be attributed to the network connection, such as the powered ethernet cable or an electric or magnetic field associated with the wireless communications signal. In some embodiments, the low current power source may be FM or AM radio waves.

The method continues with the network resource receiving a signal indicating a task to be performed 820. The network resource preferentially assigns the task to a device selected from among the plurality of the devices based at least in part on a parameter or threshold 830. The parameter or threshold may be associated with the intermediate storage unit and/or power consumption by the device or one or more components thereof.

In some embodiments, the distributed computing system 700 may include a computer network 106 in which a plurality of devices 710 each have a network connection supplied by a low current power source, such as a powered Ethernet cable 102 or a wireless communications signal 110, that allows the devices to communicate with at least one network resource 108.

Each of the plurality of devices 710 may include an intermediate storage unit 124 configured to receive electric current from the low current power source, a primary storage unit 128 configured to receive electric current discharged from the intermediate storage unit, and one or more components 134 configured to use electric current from the primary storage unit to perform a function. As described herein, the electric current form the low current power source at least partially charges the intermediate storage unit. The devices 710 may further include a voltage monitor circuit 132 communicatively coupled to a processor 114 configured to monitor a voltage of the intermediate storage unit. The processor may be configured to discharge current from the intermediate storage when the processor ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds a threshold. The electric current from the intermediate storage unit at least partially charges the primary storage unit. As described herein, the primary storage unit also may be configured to provide the electric current directly to the one or more components.

At least some of the devices 100 from among the plurality 710, or one or more components thereof 134, may typically receive intermittent use at time intervals matching or exceeding a positive multiple of a time constant τ (tau) for the respective intermediate storage unit 124. The respective intermediate storage units may be configured to accumulate a voltage over the positive multiple of the time constant, and the voltage may exceed the charge consumed by a typical instance of use of the respective device or one or more components.

The network resource may include at least one server 108 configured to assign tasks to the plurality of devices. Tasks may be preferentially assigned from time to time to a device selected from among the plurality, or to a component of such a device. The preferential assignment may be based on a time interval having elapsed since the selected device (or component) last performed a task. The time interval may match or exceed a positive multiple of the time constant τ (tau). In addition, or in the alternative, the preferential assignment also may be based on the respective intermediate storage unit having accumulated a voltage corresponding to a threshold. A suitable threshold may be selected in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, a threshold may include or depend on a voltage of the intermediate storage unit corresponding to a positive multiple of a time constant τ (tau) for the intermediate storage unit.

In some embodiments, the network resource may be configured to preferentially assign a next task to a device selected from among the plurality based on the selected device having discharged a first quantity of energy from the intermediate storage unit to the primary storage unit since the selected device last performed a previous task. The first quantity of energy may match or exceed a second quantity of energy attributed to the next task. For example, the second quantity of energy may include or depend on a quantity of energy necessary or sufficient for performing the next task.

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Other Embodiments and Aspects

The foregoing detailed description and accompanying figures set forth typical embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods presently disclosed. The present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent that numerous other devices, systems, and methods may be provided in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure may utilize any variety of aspects, features, or steps, or combinations thereof which may be within the contemplation of those skilled in the art.

Exemplary healthcare facilities include a hospital, an ambulatory surgical center, a doctors' office, an urgent care clinic, a nursing home, a community health center, a hospice facility, a hospital ship, a hospital train, an inpatient facility, a long-term care facility, a pharmacy, an outpatient clinic, a respite care setting, a home-based healthcare setting, a walk-in clinic, an alternative medicine facility, a physical therapy facility, and the like.

Exemplary supply chain environments include a manufacturing facility, a distribution facility, an order-fulfillment facility, a shipping facility, a returns-facility, a transportation or delivery vehicle, a tractor-trailer vehicle, rolling stock, a ship or marine vessel, an airplane or other aircraft, a warehouse, a shipping container, a customer service center, a supplier's facility, a distributor's facility, a retailer's facility, a wholesaler's facility, an importer's facility, a raw materials site, and the like. Additional exemplary supply chain environments include various types of healthcare facilities.

Various embodiments have been set forth via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects and/or features of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure.

In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that some mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies equally regardless of the signal bearing media used to carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing media include, but are not limited to, the following: recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices, floppy and other removable disks, hard disk drives, SSD drives, flash drives, optical discs (e.g., CD ROMs, DVDs, etc.), and computer memory; and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links using TDM or IP based communication links (e.g., packet links).

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various aspects described herein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment).

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such described devices and/or processes into data processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, and/or control systems including feedback loops and control elements (e.g., feedback for sensing temperature; control heaters for adjusting temperature). A typical data processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.

The foregoing described aspects depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.

The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

While various aspects, features, and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects, features, and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects, features, and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents: 

1. A method of providing electric power to an electric component in a device, the method comprising: receiving electric current from a powered Ethernet cable connected to a device; charging an intermediate storage unit in the device with the electric current from the powered Ethernet cable; monitoring a voltage of the intermediate storage unit using a voltage monitoring circuit communicatively coupled to a processor; charging a primary storage unit using electric current from the intermediate storage unit when the processor ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds a threshold, the intermediate storage unit discharging the electric current to the primary storage unit; and providing electric current from the primary storage unit to a component, the component using the electric current to cause the device to perform a function.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a printer.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a thermal printer and wherein the component comprises a printing mechanism.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the component receives electrical power solely from the primary storage unit.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate storage unit comprises at least one capacitor and/or at least one supercapacitor.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the primary storage unit comprises a rechargeable battery.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the threshold comprises a voltage range of the intermediate storage unit, the range falling between a lower voltage sufficient for efficiently discharging current to the primary storage unit and an upper voltage sufficient for further charging of the intermediate storage to be inefficient.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the component typically receives intermittent use at time intervals matching or exceeding a positive multiple of a time constant, tau, comprising a resistance of charging the intermediate storage unit multiplied by a capacitance of the intermediate storage unit, and wherein the intermediate storage unit is configured to accumulate a voltage over the positive multiple of the time constant which voltage exceeds the charge consumed by a typical instance of use of the component.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate storage unit comprises a plurality of capacitors and/or supercapacitors in series.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the intermediate storage unit comprises a plurality of capacitors and/or supercapacitors in parallel.
 11. A device configured to use electric current from a powered Ethernet cable to perform a function, the device comprising: an intermediate storage unit configured to receive electric current from a powered Ethernet cable, the electric current from the powered Ethernet cable at least partially charging the intermediate storage unit; a voltage monitor circuit communicatively coupled to a processor, the processor configured to monitor a voltage of the intermediate storage unit; a primary storage unit configured to receive electric current from the intermediate storage unit when the processor ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds a threshold, the intermediate storage unit configured to then discharge the electric current to the primary storage unit, and the electric current from the intermediate storage unit at least partially charging the primary storage unit; and a component configured to use electric current from the primary storage unit to perform a function, the primary storage unit configured to provide the electric current to the component.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the device comprises a printer.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the device comprises a thermal printer and wherein the component comprises a printing mechanism.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein the component receives electrical power solely from the primary storage unit.
 15. The device of claim 11, wherein the intermediate storage unit comprises at least one capacitor and/or at least one supercapacitor.
 16. The device of claim 11, wherein the primary storage unit comprises a rechargeable battery.
 17. The device of claim 11, wherein the threshold comprises a voltage range of the intermediate storage unit, the range falling between a lower voltage sufficient for efficiently discharge current to the primary storage unit and an upper voltage sufficient for further charging of the intermediate storage to be inefficient.
 18. The device of claim 11, wherein the component typically receives intermittent use at time intervals matching or exceeding a positive multiple of a time constant, tau, comprising a resistance of charging the intermediate storage unit multiplied by a capacitance of the intermediate storage unit, and wherein the intermediate storage unit is configured to accumulate a voltage over the positive multiple of the time constant which voltage exceeds the charge consumed by a typical instance of use of the component.
 19. The device of claim 11, wherein the intermediate storage unit comprises a plurality of capacitors and/or supercapacitors, at least a portion of the plurality being arranged in series and/or in parallel.
 20. A distributed computing system, comprising: a plurality of devices in communication with at least one resource on a computer network, each of the plurality of devices comprising: an intermediate storage unit configured to receive electric current from a powered Ethernet cable, the electric current from the powered Ethernet cable at least partially charging the intermediate storage unit; a voltage monitor circuit communicatively coupled to a processor, the processor configured to monitor a voltage of the intermediate storage unit; a primary storage unit configured to receive electric current from the intermediate storage unit when the processor ascertains that the voltage of the intermediate storage unit meets or exceeds a threshold, the intermediate storage unit configured to then discharge the electric current to the primary storage unit, and the electric current from the intermediate storage unit at least partially charging the primary storage unit; and a component configured to use electric current from the primary storage unit to perform a function, the primary storage unit configured to provide the electric current to the component; wherein the plurality of devices typically receives intermittent use at time intervals matching or exceeding a positive multiple of a time constant, tau, comprising a resistance of charging the respective intermediate storage unit multiplied by a capacitance of the respective intermediate storage unit; and wherein the respective intermediate storage units are configured to accumulate a voltage over the positive multiple of the time constant which voltage exceeds the electrical power consumed by a typical instance of use of the respective component; and wherein the network resource is configured to: monitor the plurality of devices on the computer network; receive a signal indicating a task to be performed; and preferentially assign the task to a device selected from among the plurality of the devices based at least in part on a parameter associated with the intermediate storage unit and/or power consumption by the device. 